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How to use identification tools while protecting patient privacy?

The patient identification system is a system that all hospitals must follow. Patients who come to the hospital for treatment should provide real identity information, and the registration staff of the outpatient department will truthfully log in and record the identity information provided by the patient, and make identification tools such as wristbands and identification cards. During the hospitalization of the patient, the medical staff can timely treat the patient by checking the patient's identification information, which can effectively prevent the occurrence of oolong events such as misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis. 


At present, there are four main types of identification tools: wristbands, photos, identification cards, and new tools/technologies. However, in clinical practice, some patients believe that wearing wristbands and identification cards will "label" their identities, revealing their privacy, which leads to strong rejection, and even prevents medical staff from wearing them. This not only prevents the smooth implementation of the identification system, but also makes the doctor-patient relationship even more tense. 

How to balance the relationship between identity recognition and privacy protection has become an urgent topic for many hospitals to explore. Many hospitals realize that when using identification tools, they should also pay attention to protecting patient information and privacy, and safeguarding the rights of patients. 

Here are a few tips for healthcare workers:

"Good privacy and confidentiality management"

Hospitals are obliged to protect the privacy of patients and live up to the trust of patients. During the hospitalization of the patient, the hospital needs to effectively and confidentially manage the patient's identity and privacy information, and instruct the patient to keep the  identification wristband and identification card with them, and they cannot remove or exchange them without permission. After the patient is discharged from the hospital, the hospital must destroy the patient's  identification wristband and identification card in time to prevent the illegal use of the patient's information. 

"Hide the logo color"

Wristbands come in a variety of colors, and different colors represent different meanings, which is helpful for medical staff to know the patient's condition at the first time. However, the conspicuous color of the wristband inadvertently leaked the patient's privacy and increased the patient's psychological pressure. We recommend using colored latches instead to differentiate patients.Compared with the wristband, the disposable lock is less eye-catching in color, and passers-by will not quickly notice the color of the lock, which is beneficial to protect the privacy of patients. 

"Decentralize information, reduce risk"

Instead of using a certain tool as the only way to identify, use multiple tools to identify and disperse patient information, reducing the risk of a large amount of privacy being leaked at one time. It is recommended that hospitals use two or more identification tools at the same time. In addition to protecting privacy, it also provides multiple guarantees for the identification of medical staff.

"Using new technology to keep secrecy in place"

Integrate new technologies (such as barcodes, RFID, etc.) to optimize patient identification management, and encrypt and protect identification. At present, most medical care uses identification wristbands with barcodes or QR codes, and medical staff need to use PDA to scan to obtain information, which adds a layer of double insurance for patient privacy. In addition, the development of RFID chip wristbands is becoming more and more mature. AIDE RFID chip wristband adopts the combination of "written information + barcode/QR code + chip", non-contact long-distance reading, more accurate and safe to use. 

On the premise of protecting the privacy of patients, making good use of identification tools and implementing an identification system can better serve patients and promote the development and progress of the medical service system.


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